Is it okay to eat or drink during a virtual interview? I don't want to be rude, but it helps me to have a beverage, especially if I'm talking a lot. I assume water is fine, but does it matter what I'm drinking if they can't see what's in the cup? Is it somehow less professional or more rude if I'm drinking coffee instead of water?

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Eating during an interview is unacceptable. Even if the people on the other side are eating, I’d still avoid it. Drinking water or coffee is totally fine. Just act normal and casual about it.

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Don’t eat! Chewing and eating during an interview, even a digital one is rude. Having drink and occasionally taking a sip is totally fine. And coffee is a normal drink.

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Totally agree with others no eating or chewing gum. Occasional drink of water or coffee is fine.

I def think keeping a water bottle near you for a quick sip or two during the interview is fine! Something non-disruptive.

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The idea of snacking mid-interview is making me giggle. I'd love to see an interviewer's reaction to me ripping into a bag of Doritos between questions. I don't think there's anything wrong with drinking coffee or water. I keep a tumbler of water on my desk at all times and sip from it during calls, so a virtual interview would be no different.

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Snacking during an interview (even a virtual) is rude, disrespectful and just unaccetable!! You want to show the interviewer that they have your full attention, plus you do not want food flying or hanging out of your mouth when answering questions. A drink like coffee or even better water should be Ok, ( I sometimes get dry mouth when nervous), but eating...NO, NO and NO!!!

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In what circumstances would you eat during an interview?

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Yes, exactly. I hadn’t thought about virtual lunch but is that a thing for an interview? Idk. If I was the interviewer, I would cut it short if someone started eating.

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I wouldn't eat but coffee or water would be fine

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Oh no, another thing to stress about now 😂 It never once occurred to me that drinking something during an interview might be seen as unprofessional. I always have a bottle of water on my desk that I sip from, and sometimes a tea. I wouldn't eat, though.

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I think consensus here is drinking water or coffee is totally fine, definitely not unprofessional - but choice of glass or bottle can be a factor… definitely don’t drink water out of an old pint glass stolen from the pub

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I’ve had interviews arranged like at a coffee shop like Tim Hortons but stuck to a coffee as I personally just thought eating and talking with my mouth full of food would be disrespectful/ bad table manners.

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If you’re going to have a burger while interviewing, try to include some steamed veggies on the side so they know you’re a good little boy.

funny

I was looking for a funny comment. You did not disappoint. 😂

More reasons not to hire: That's all. Or, you have to be a genius in your field, where companies hunt you like in a movie. Then you can do anything. But if that's the case, we wouldn't be here on Glassdoor, lol... So drink water or coffee—that's also without sound, yep.

If you were in person they would offer you water, coffee maybe tea so a beverage is fine. They offer beverages because it can be calming and you have something in your hands to avoid fidgeting.

Mark Shuttlecock ate when I interviewed with him, which I thought was rude.

Nobody knows what you're drinking, but both coffee and water are common throughout the day and I wouldn't worry about either.

Sure why not. Are you crazy
Do you eat or drink during any interview

Avoid totally. Look alert refreshed and energetic without on visual intakes.

I mean, wouldn't digging into a full english be a power move? You'd be SO MEMORABLE!

I would ask at beginning if they Mind if you drink water during interview. Never eat. Like you said it could be anything in your cup but just say it’s water. I would try to keep drinking to a minimum though with a few small sips spaced throughout.

At my last online interview, the interviewer asked if I had a drink to hand so I could have a drink. It was a nice touch. I guess it put me at ease that I didn't have to worry about taking a drink.

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